Piatti double helps Impact halt Crew winning streak

The Columbus Crew went to Canada looking to extend their winning streak to three matches, and looking to move a step further away from what is becoming a real logjam of a race for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

The Montreal Impact sent the Crew back to Ohio with zero points and a tough defeat as Argentine Designated Player Ignacio Piatti opened his account with a pair of goals to lead Montreal to a 2-0 victory on Saturday at Stade Saputo.

Piatti opened the scoring in the 40th minute when he raced onto a Wil Trapp turnover near midfield, raced 25 yards into the penalty area, cut back and unleashed a left-footed blast past Steve Clark to make the score 1-0.

The Crew attack looked like a far cry from the team that had generated nine goals in three matches, failing to really test Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush on the night.

Piatti ultimately sealed the victory with his second goal of the night on a 94th minute finish with his right foot. Marco DiVaio started the sequence by dribbling in the area, before the ball was kicked away from him and right to Piatti, who showed off his skilled footwork yet again before unleashing a right-footed shot from 10 yards out.

2 Responses to Piatti double helps Impact halt Crew winning streak

You failed to mention the worst part of the game for Columbus: yellows for Tchani and Trapp, meaning BOTH starting CMs are suspended next game due to card accumulation.

Track’s, by far, is the more frustrating. He has to know he’s sitting in yellow card peril, and he has to know Tchani it’s already suspended. Yet, he picks up the “professional foul” rather than trusting his defenders. For all his passing, vision, and defending skills, he’s got to do a better job knowing when can and cannot get these kinds of cards. It’s frustrating as a fan, and I’m sure Jurgen notices.

Agreed. It will be interesting to see who lines up the d-midfield next game, since both have been fixtures there in the Berhalter era. I think Kevan George should be able to handle the position for a game, but who would take over the other spot?

Anyway, it is not a great place for the Crew to be with the logjam around the playoff spot in the East.